Blog - nepal earthquake

Posted by
Caroline Poiner - Founder Artisans of Fashion
on 15th May 2015

“The
women of Kedarnath Valley have shown how quiet resilience and courage in the
face of impossible odds can turn around a seemingly hopeless situation.”

The recent
earthquakes in Nepal are a poignant reminder of the devastating floods and
landslides in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath Valley; the heartbreaking loss these
people have experienced is overwhelming.

ON JUNE 16 2013 flash
floods in Uttarkhand state claimed many thousands of lives; many of the victims
bodies were never recovered. Most of the
victims were the men in the families leaving women, children and the elderly
widowed and destitute.

Almost 2 years on thanks to Mukti Datta and the Panchachuli Women Weavers, the progress from the
first day of grim silence and mourning in the windswept villages to now is
remarkable. The women are exuding positive energy and gather to learn from
their elders and teachers, optimistic and hopeful for a better future.

Scarred
by their loss, the women have been equipping themselves with various skills so
that they can work and lead an independent life.

Most
of the women have taken up work for the first time in their lives, saying
supporting their families is their sole motivation to work. Even young girls
want to pitch in by working.

A
key factor in the rehabilitation of the communities has been the
re-introduction of traditional craft skills of the region, weaving and spinning
in particular is becoming a thriving cottage industry.

With
the help of their “Mountain Sisters” from nearby Kumaon, the cooperative -
Mandakani Women Weavers of Garwhal was formed. A group of 300 women and the
elderly have been training in spinning, weaving and knitting and are now
producing beautiful high quality products for the international market.

“The
involvement of elders adds a deeper social meaning to the project.”

It
is wonderful to see how the elder members of the community have found a
productive place in the project in washing, scouring and carding local sheep
wool and using traditional taklis to spin Peruvian Alpaca. About 50 elders in
the three more remote villages have been participating in these activities.

The women of
Kedarnath valley have shown how quiet resilience and courage in the face of
impossible odds can turn around a seemingly hopeless situation. The rugged
mountains reflect the spirit of the Uttarakhand women, indomitable and tough.

It is the women who will be the catalysts
of change for a better future. A future where cottage industry in the form of
hand loom, craft, and agro based products become the basis of a sustainable
economy, and women are empowered economically and socially.